New Post

Welcome to Pixelated Pride!

Hi there! I’m Jorge aka (GimmieYourSoul: PSN) a 37-year-old Black, gay, vegan gamer with a love for all things pixelated, plant-based, and just a little metaphysical. I’ve been gaming since I was about 5 or 6 years old, back when console graphics looked like your little cousin’s Minecraft attempts. From those early joystick-twirling days, one thing has been constant: if there was a female character, you better believe she was my go-to pick.

Now, you might ask, “Why?” Why did I always gravitate toward the fierce ladies of gaming—from Blaze in Streets of Rage to Chun-Li in Street Fighter, Alice in Bloody Roar, and the iconic Lara Croft? Was it their killer moves, their impeccable outfits, or the way they always seemed to carry themselves with unmatched confidence? The short answer is yes—all of the above—but let’s dig a little deeper.

First, let’s acknowledge that female characters in gaming often represent resilience and strength in ways that go beyond brute force. While the boys were busy punching walls and grunting like they were in a deodorant commercial, the girls were flipping, strategizing, and serving elegance with every high kick. Who wouldn’t be inspired by Chun-Li’s spinning bird kick? It’s like she said, “I’ll knock you out and look fabulous doing it.”

But there’s also something more personal to this choice. Growing up as a Black, queer kid in a world that often felt like it had no place for me, I found a sense of belonging in these characters. They were unapologetically different, just like me. Lara Croft wasn’t just raiding tombs; she was breaking barriers. Blaze wasn’t just fighting bad guys; she was owning her power. These women felt like a reflection of the kind of strength I aspired to have—a quiet confidence that didn’t need validation.

Of course, let’s not ignore the obvious: these characters were just plain cool. Chun-Li had thighs that could crush your insecurities. Blaze’s jumpsuit was a fashion moment. Lara Croft’s dual pistols? Iconic. And as a kid who struggled with fitting into society’s narrow expectations of masculinity, controlling these characters was a way to reclaim my own narrative. If anyone teased me for picking the “girl character,” I’d just serve them a spinning roundhouse kick in the game and call it a day.

But there’s a psychology to unpack here too. For many queer gamers, female characters offer a way to explore identity and empowerment in a world that often tells us to shrink ourselves. By stepping into the shoes of these powerful women, I could channel parts of myself that felt suppressed in real life. These characters became an extension of my voice, my courage, and yes, my flair for the dramatic.

So here’s to the virtual queens who taught me that strength doesn’t have to come in one flavor, that femininity can be fierce, and that a perfectly timed combo can shut down any hater. Gaming has always been more than just a hobby for me; it’s been a space where I could see pieces of myself reflected in unexpected ways.

If this resonates with you—whether you’re a lifelong Chun-Li stan, a Tomb Raider fanatic, or just someone who’s ever chosen Peach in Mario Kart because she’s undeniably the best—welcome to Pixelated Pride. Let’s explore the intersections of identity, gaming, and everything in between. And who knows? Maybe we’ll unlock a few achievements along the way.

Until next time, make good choices—both in the game and in life.

– Gimmie